‘Temporarily. Your dad’s getting Terry to look at it when he can. I told him if we don’t have the cash I’m selling his golf clubs the way he sold my mother’s jewellery. The liar can’t even admit to selling it. Says I’ve misplaced it like I’m an eejit or something!’
Orla could hear the emotion in her mum’s tone now. ‘Mum, don’t cry.’
‘Catch yourself on, I’m not crying. I have no tears left for that man right now.’
Orla leaned against the countertop, adjusting the phone at her ear and Hunter raised his head, watching. ‘Oh, Mum.’
‘Don’t you worry. Everything will be grand. Well, you know, not grand perhaps, but OK.’
‘Did you manage to speak to the doctor?’
‘Yes, love, I did.’
‘And what did he say?’
‘He said I could have some anti-depressants if I wanted.’
‘What?’ Orla exclaimed.
‘I said no. For now. But, you know, it mightn’t be a bad thing.’
‘Mum, no! What did he say about seeing Dad? About the drinking.’
‘He said that unless Dad wants help there’s no help to be had.’
Orla closed her eyes and took a breath. This was a nightmare and it wasn’t good enough. She opened her eyes again. ‘Is Dad there now?’
‘In spirit. Full of spirits actually. Fell asleep before the end ofWould I Lie To You.’
‘Wake him up,’ Orla said. ‘I want to speak to him.’
‘Orla, no. I can’t wake him up. In fact, the local brass band couldn’t wake him up.’
‘Well, someone needs to speak to him. Things can’t go on like this! He’s not well and he’s making you unwell and… I don’t want Erin to come back to this.’ She swallowed as she heard Erin’s laugh filter through from the living room.
‘That girl barely spends any time with either of us. She wouldn’t know if your father turned into Jeremy Clarkson.’
‘I disagree,’ Orla said. ‘I think she notices much more than you think.’
‘How can she? She’s permanently on the phone to that man in Morocco! And what have you found out about him?’
‘I haven’t had much of an opportunity to ask her about Burim. I’m working here, Mum.’
And her mother had expertly pulled the subject of the conversation away from her dad. What was she going to do? From this far away?
‘Mum, I want to talk to Dad. I want you to tell him that I will call him tomorrow and I want him sober when he answers.’
‘He’s not going to like that I’ve told you half of what I’ve told you,’ Dana said, sighing.
‘I don’t care,’ Orla stated. ‘That’s what’s going to happen.’
Hunter made a noise and got up, starting to pant, mouth opening and tongue hanging out. It was then she realised Jacques was entering the kitchen as, on the phone, her Mum began to protest again.
‘Mum, I have to go. I’ll call Dad tomorrow. Don’t forget to tell him. And… don’t worry, OK? Everything will be all right.’
As a lump arrived in her throat, she rushed a goodbye and ended the call. She forced an overenthusiastic smile and petted Hunter on the head.
‘Parents!’ She gave a dramatic sigh and hoped that explained everything she definitely wasn’t going to say.
